Accusing the government of obstructing the party’s activities and overhauling process, the BNP has urged the government to make it clear whether it would allow the opposition to participate in politics.
The party also alleged that there has been a farce in the country in the name of democracy as the government has enforced an undeclared one-party rule.
“Our party’s overhauling process is in progress. You all know that most leaders who are supposed to be engaged in the reorganising process have either been arrested or are being arrested. We protest it,” said BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan.
Speaking at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan office, he further said: “Twenty of our leaders sat in a meeting yesterday (Monday) in Bhola to discuss our party overhauling activities, but police arrested all of them. We would like to clearly know from the government whether they will allow any other parties other than the ruling party to do politics or not.”
The BNP leader also alleged that their party standing committee member Tariqul Islam was also made an accused in a false and fabricated case in Jessore to cause harm to the party.
Referring to the introduction of one-party Baksal rule enacted in 1975 by then Awami League government, he said: “I think the predecessors of the current prime minister were somewhat honest as they implemented a law and declared that no one could do politics other than them. We are not seeing that type of honesty now as the regime is not saying that no one else has the right to do politics. But the way they are running the country, no one else has the scope to do politics. It is unfair, unjustified and offensive.”
The BNP leader called upon the government not to obstruct their political and organisational activities.
The press conference was arranged to register the party’s protest against charging Tariqul Islam with ‘imaginary’ charges.
Mentioning that Tariqul has long been suffering from serious diseases, Nazrul said he went to passport office on Monday to apply for an MRP passport to go abroad for treatment. “The same day, he was implicated in a false case to stop him from going abroad. We condemn such action.”
He also demanded the release of all their arrested leaders and withdrawal of the false cases filed against them. “We want the government to allow people to exercise all their rights without any fear and obstruction.”
